One by one, young cultivators stepped forward, clenched their fists, and struck the glowing pillar with everything they had.

The pillar flashed again and again, mostly bright white, which meant... they were just a step away from the Saturation Stage.

Or in another case... a really bright white meant they have reached it, but have not yet started creating a Mana Seed to have a pale blue color.

"All of you are quite good already at this stage, being so young, but still, it was not enough for the Revalis Clan competition!"

A few participants lowered their heads in frustration and stepped away.

Then the announcer continued as he called the next contestant. "Next! Rovric Revalis!"

Rovric stepped forward slowly, grinning confidently as he drew out his sword.

"Finally... It's my time to shine."

He began to coat his sword with flame, making some of the younger cultivators flinch.

"He's already using his trait?"

"Wait... that means..."

"Stabilization Stage. He has reached the Second Realm!"

Rovris smirked as he spun his sword once, letting the flame dance for a moment.

He then turned toward the crowd as he prepared his stance. "Watch closely."

He just launched a simple flaming sword strike at the pillar.

BOOM!

The pillar glowed blue, brighter than the other pale blue color.

The announcer smirked as he raised his hand. "Blue color! Second Realm Cultivator! Passed!"

The crowd erupted. Cheers, whistles, and even a few shouts of awe filled the air.

Rovric lowered his sword, flames fading. He tilted his head, clearly pleased.

Then Ragric's name was called next, and he quickly walked forward, spinning his spear lazily in one hand.

He turned to Rovric for a moment and smirked. "Don't act like you're the only one."

He then planted his foot. Sparks began to crackle around the tip of his spear before he thrust it straight into the stone pillar.

CRACK!

Blue light exploded from the runes, even brighter than before.

The announcer raised both arms dramatically. "Another blue glow! Another Second Realm Cultivator! Passed!"

The crowd roared once again.

Rovric smirked from the side. "Not bad. Almost as bright as mine."

Ragric spun his spear, resting it on his shoulder. "Almost? Please. Mine shook the ground."

Rovric just waved him off. "Keep dreaming."

Their bickering made the crowd laugh and cheer louder.

The announcer raised his hand again, his voice booming.

"What a display of power! Two of the main contenders have already revealed their strength!"

He spread his arms wide. "But the day is still long. Who else will challenge the stone?"

The crowd cheered again, then froze as a shadow passed above the arena.

A flying ship hovered over the arena. Gasps ran through the stands. People pointed, and some even shouted. "Who dares?"

One elder didn't wait as he stepped into a small and polished flying plate and rose.

He flew straight to the ship. Below him, the guards moved faster and formed a defensive formation.

"Who are you?" The elder shouted when he reached the ship's deck.

"How dare you come here? Don't you know that this is the Revalis clan territory, and there is an important competition going on?"

Garion stood at the ship's deck and smiled. He spread his arms wide before introducing himself.

"Hello, elder of Revalis Clan. My name is Garion, the sect leader of a newly formed sect, the God Gym."

The elder's eyes widened in surprise. "God Gym... the sect that had won the once-in-a-decade competition a year ago?"

Garion smiled hearing that. "So it has even been spread to here, huh?"

He then coughed a bit before telling him his business.

"I am here because two of my disciples are from this clan. I heard the competition is today, and I kind of want to watch it."

The elders hovered still, scanning Garion's face. "Who are these members of ours? Let me see them first."

Garion smiled and clapped once, calling the twins over. "Rynar! Rynor! Come here!"

From inside, the twins walked out confidently, and the moment the elder saw them, he was quite surprised.

"Rynar and Rynor? No wonder I never heard your news for a year. I thought both of you had died because of your tendency to cause trouble and your lack of strength."

Rynar stopped, chest out. "We're different now."

Rynor smirked beside him. "We are stronger."

The elder frowned, waving his hand off.

"Save your words. I have heard this before. If you are Revalis's blood, step down and face the clan test properly."

Garion smirked, cutting in their talk. "They will. That's why I'm here."

He looked at the elder, voice calm. "And also, my ship cannot land inside the arena, so we will remain above. We won't interfere."

The elder glared, then glanced at the gathered guards. He thought a moment, then nodded.

"Very well. Your ship can hover. But the twins will come down now. Bring them to me."

Rynar and Rynor exchanged a quick look and nodded.

They stepped to the edge of the ship hatch, then leaped down in a practiced fall that turned into a controlled landing on the arena floor.

The elder landed beside them. He stared at the twins for a long time.

"You will prove yourselves before the clan. Fail, and you answer to more than words."

Rynor rolled his shoulders. "We'll see."

Rynar smirked. "We didn't come back just to fail."

The elder gave them both one last look, then turned away. "Very well. Prepare yourselves."

He rose back into the air, vanishing toward the elders' platform.

On the side, Rovric leaned forward, his grin wide. "Well, look at that. Our prayers have been answered."

Ragric chuckled beside him, resting his spear on his shoulder. "Yeah. Seems the cowards actually grew spines."

Rovric cracked his neck, eyes glinting. "Good. I was getting bored."

Ragric's smirk deepened. "Let's crush that newfound confidence later."

The drums started again, echoing across the arena as the crowd's cheers mixed with laughter, tension, and the faint crackle of flame and thunder.

High above, Garion watched from the ship, arms crossed and a small grin tugging at his lips.

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